Green light for warehouse and distribution hub in Highbridge
Cubex Land Ltd. applied in April 2022 to build a new warehouse and distribution hub on land north of Pillmore Lane at the northern edge of Highbridge, near the town’s Aldi supermarket and Travelodge hotel.
The developer has argued the new building would be “a substantial investment” in the local area and “stimulate economic growth” in and around the town.
In one of its final actions before being abolished, Sedgemoor District Council has given the plans its backing – meaning construction could begin later in the year.
The site lies to the north of the Isleport Grove housing development, where Countryside Partnerships is currently constructing 248 homes and a community facility – with the majority of the new homes expected to be completed by the autumn.
The site is allocated for employment use within the council’s Local Plan, which sets out the district’s housing and employment requirements until 2032.
The warehouse will provide nearly 14,500 sq m of employment space for the occupiers – though the Bristol-based applicant has not identified any company which will use the site once construction is completed.
Access will be from Isleport Lane, providing a speedy connection with the A38 Bristol Road and the M5 via the Edithmead roundabout – which Somerset County Council is aiming to upgrade in the coming months.
Construction could start later this year. (Image: UMC Architects)
A total of 170 car parking spaces will be provided on site, including 34 charging spaces for electric vehicles, with the eastern end having sufficient parking for 88 lorries.
UMC Architects (representing the applicant) did not confirm how many new jobs would be created, or which companies were currently interested in occupying the site.
A spokesman said: “The proposals… represent a substantial investment to the area and in particular, the development will help to promote and support employment growth and stimulate economic growth with the area, cohesive with regional and local aspirations.
“It is anticipated that the development will act as a catalyst to create a number of new jobs and inject investment into the local community.”
As part of the development, Cubex will provide nearly £371,000 towards improvements to the Edithmead roundabout, which links Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge to Junction 22 of the M5.
Numerous residential and commercial developments in Highbridge are being held up after National Highways placed a “holding position” of several applications – meaning there are limits on how many new homes or business units can be built until a scheme to upgrade the Edithmead roundabout is agreed.
Sedgemoor District Council’s executive committee voted in February to allocate £1.6m towards a “Plan B” scheme to signalise the roundabout, in the event that government funding for a wider programme of work – running from Highbridge to Bristol Airport via the A38 – does not materialise.
Of this £1.6m, around £600,000 is expected to come from housing or commercial developments, such as the Pillmore Lane warehouse or the Isleport Grove site.
Construction of the new warehouse and distribution hub is expected to begin later in the year.